Seven Republican candidates vying to succeed retiring U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss squared off in South Georgia Saturday night in the first of seven GOP-sponsored debates.

The race is drawing national attention for the wide-open Republican primary and the Democratic candidacy of Michelle Nunn, former U.S. Sen. Sam Nunn’s daughter.

The GOP primary features three congressmen, a former Fortune 500 CEO and an ex-Georgia secretary of state who narrowly lost the GOP primary runoff for the governor’s mansion in 2010.

Please go to myajc.com for updates.

About the Author

Keep Reading

With the closure of the labor and delivery unit in St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital in Lavonia, expectant mothers will instead be directed to deliver at St. Mary’s Hospital in Athens, about 45 miles away.  (Photo Illustration / Getty Images)

Credit: Getty Images

Featured

Julian Conley listens during opening statements in his trial at Fulton County Superior Court in Atlanta on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. The 25-year-old is accused of fatally shooting 8-year-old Secoriea Turner in July 2020. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com